I was accused of being unpatriotic when I expressed a distaste for watermelon at an Independence Day barbecue a few years ago. My hostess forced a piece upon me, and I have been eating the melon ever since. Which is a boon to my diet, since there are so many healthful reasons to love this melon.
For starters, this red and juicy melon is one of the few foods high in the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene, along with tomatoes and pink grapefruit — remember, antioxidants also provide color to fruits and veggies along with phytonutrients. Watermelon is also a low-calorie food and one cup of melon balls contains just under 50 calories. Being 92 percent water, the melon makes for a great post-workout treat on a hot day since it will help replace fluids lost through sweating.
Considered a cooling food, the yellow variety of watermelon might help you heat things up in the bedroom. Research out of Texas (the largest producer of the seedless variety of the melon) indicates that watermelon has an effect on the human body similar to Viagra. Learn more.
The big red fruit cannot completely replace the little blue pill, but it does contain citrulline, which jump-starts production of a chemical compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to Viagra. Melon, however, is just not "organ specific" and can benefit the entire cardiovascular system. However, citrulline is found in higher concentrations in yellow watermelon, not red. Looks like you can't get your lycopene hit with the benefits of citrulline.
Do you love watermelon?
sweatyBetty
Ghibli
Mulberry
I like watermelon but don't eat it because I can't bear to bite into an over ripe piece.
1Melons are the only fruits I don't like.
2I'm with ClassicalTorture.
Watermelon = blech. >_<</p> 3
Oh sad, I dunno what happened to my smiley
4What?? Really? But... what's not to like about watermelon?? It's sweet, it's crispy, it's juicy... it's the one magic quencher for hot hot summer afternoons... not to mention it can take on vodka like a dry sponge for parties.
Plus fresh watermelon juice is my favourite drink... ever...
5Between my husband and I, we go through a watermelon a week (sometimes more). I cut the melon up into bite sized pieces so there is no possibility of biting into the rind. Watermelon helps keep you hydrated too!
6I'm with fizzymartini - I don't get what's not to like?!? It's so sweet and refreshing!! YUM!
7If someone doesn't like watermelon, who cares? I happen to like it but I don't force my likes and dislikes on others.
8I love me some watermelon but usually just think about eating it at BBQ's for some reason. A bowl of melon balls for dessert during the week though sounds really good. And cantalope too, mmmmm.
9OMG!I absolutely love watermelon!It is my ultimate summer go to food. It is so refreshing,specially straight out of the fridge.It satisfies me better than any desert. During hot summer days I can just munch on watermelon all day.You can also use it to make great Popsicles:)
10I think all melon tastes gross and I don't give a damn what anyone thinks I wouldn't have eaten it.
11I don't have tolearn to love it cuz i already do! One of my favorite fruits!
12Boooo watermelon.
I'm not a picky eater by any stretch of the imagination, but melon is a group of fruit I will not eat. Those cancer fighting anti-oxidants can be found in tomatoes you say? Thanks, I'll have that.
13Watermelon is delicious - even better is making a mint sauce to pour over it. Get some peppermint extract, some water to cut it and boil on the stove. Let it cool and pour over a fruit salad with a lot of watermelon and it's so - so - so good.
14i've always been a HUGE fan of the fruit - and i actually get a container of watermelon every morning for breakfast!
15I LOVE watermelon! I could probably eat a whole one in one sitting (maybe that's an exaggeration haha)! The only think I hate is cutting the darn thing!
16fizzymartini knows what's up! indeed it is a versatile fruit. indeed. hello???!!! i just had some watermelon soup the other day. it had caramelized onions, feta cheese...yes watermelon and champagne...soup! crazy delicious.
17i usually agree with this column - the things you post some people really don't like but should, but watermelon? don't people like it by default?
18I've said it before and I'll say it again, the best watermelon I've ever had was in Hungary. Dinyee is soooo delicious. My family would put a whopping 20lber on the table and we'd devour it like a pack of hyenas. We'd eat it morning lunch and dinner
Funny how you mention watermelon has viagra effects. I was listening to the radio the other day, an advertisment for Citrulinne Pills because "it takes 12 watermelons to get the same effect of one pill! and try as we might, some men can't eat 12 watermelons". It made me laugh.
19Melons, especially watermelon and cantaloupe, started giving me awful heartburn a couple of years ago. Thankfully I don't like cantaloupe, but I miss watermelon.
20Yellow Diamonds are my favorite but very hard to find. The best are usually a golden yellow -- kinda bummed over the holiday weekend when the one i purchased turned out to be pale yellow. It was still delicious - reminded me of a honey dew.
21I love watermelons!! When I was 7, I remember staying at my grandma's house and eating an entire watermelon for dinner one night. I also remember that my grandma told me that I was sleepwalking that night...not sure if it was related to the watermelon, but it could have been. Even now, it's not uncommon for me and my husband to eat a whole one between the two of us at one sitting.
22I usually think that watermelon tastes like watery gross nothing, but I had some yesterday that was really good, so it's making me rethink my stance!
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